Sam Sieg grew up in Louisa County on a small dairy farm and married his best friend from high school, Kathy. Sam and Kathy have four children who are now grown and out on their own.
To read Sam’s own personal life journey, continue below.
A Spiritual Journey
Born fifth in a family of six I was little but I was fast. If I was in trouble at least I could run. I lived on a dairy farm. We had two ponds—one large, one small—separated by several groves of trees and a few small hills. I loved to be outside among the trees or playing in the creek. I usually avoided crowds, which gave me plenty of time to think. I don’t know why, but I never really questioned the fact that there is a God—maybe it was the scenery all around me; the trees, the sky, and the water all fascinated me, and I knew they had to come from somewhere—what shocked me was hearing for the first time that not everyone is going to heaven. The second jolt was worse; according to the Bible, the majority of people won’t be there. It was a scary thought but a friend showed me the words in the Bible in bright red ink: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14) I found myself with mixed emotions. I certainly wanted to be among the few but I didn’t understand what was wrong with the majority. Why were most people not on the road to life? I felt like I was a pretty good kid. Sure I fought with my brothers, I pushed one in the fire and another down the stairs, but I didn’t mean it; at least that’s what I thought. Somewhere along the line God used another friend to help clear up my mental picture. He showed me these words in the Bible: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). I realized that day I was far from God and did not even know it. I broke God’s law when I hurt my brothers; I wanted to go to heaven but instead deserved hell.
This same friend showed me how to make peace with God. He explained how God could not overlook sin but loved us enough to pay our penalty himself. Listen to these words: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) My friend told me to stop trying to make it on my own and turn my life over to Jesus Christ. He said to pray and ask God to forgive me because Jesus died for me, and then ask Jesus Christ to lead my life. His instructions agree with another part of the Bible we read together that day. “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) I did just that! That day I went home with a new heart. I wanted to treat my brothers differently. I felt forgiven and excited about living for a loving God.
Since then God has done some sweet things in my life. Early on I avoided crowds and even people—I just preferred to be alone. However, through the Bible, God showed me that people are his most beautiful creation. Jesus even said the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. I still like to be alone, outdoors, enjoying creation; but I also want to make friends and care about people. Really this is what excites me the most—helping people find the road to life. It hasn’t always been easy. Since becoming a Christian I have had some difficult times as well. Some people don’t agree with my beliefs and they let me know it. Also, I have occasionally gotten off track, but God is forgiving and patient and he helps me find the right road again. It has been an exciting journey! God took me, a young man with questions about heaven, and totally changed my life. How do I see myself today? Today I am a middle-aged man, I love Jesus Christ, and I want to see his kingdom grow.
How about you? Are you on the road to life? While Jesus was here on earth he made this statement: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Why not ask Jesus to forgive your sins and turn your life over to him today?